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AperturePrime's journals (Tetramorium, Formica, Lasius)


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#1 Offline AperturePrime - Posted October 11 2023 - 8:02 PM

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I just started keeping ants this year so any comments or suggestions would be appreciated

 

 

Tetramorium immigrans

 

I have a total of 8 colonies. The most prolific of them has approximately 50 workers.

 

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Formica sp.

 

8 queens collected between August 1st and September 14th. None of them have laid yet. 

 

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Lasius sp.

 

5 colonies, some with only eggs, some with larva. I will be hibernating them in the fridge in two or three weeks. Let me know if I should be doing something different.

 

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#2 Offline AntkeeperfromEstonia - Posted October 12 2023 - 9:54 AM

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Nice photos

#3 Offline 100lols - Posted October 12 2023 - 7:16 PM

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I agree! Your photos are amazing. What camera are you using?

#4 Offline AperturePrime - Posted October 12 2023 - 8:21 PM

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I agree! Your photos are amazing. What camera are you using?

 

Canon 60d with a 100mm macro (and extension tubes for over 1:1) and a flash with home built flash diffuser. The brand doesn't matter you can get the same results with any dedicated macro lens and flash.

 

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#5 Offline 100lols - Posted October 12 2023 - 10:13 PM

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I really need a dedicated macro lens. Thank you for sharing! Especially the picture of the home made diffuser :zoomeyes:

#6 Offline AperturePrime - Posted May 29 2024 - 10:14 PM

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I took the Formica and Lasius out of diapause about four weeks ago and fed them yesterday, all but one of them now have at least eggs. I did lose three of my Tetramorium queens over the winter one was just curled up, one is dismembered, and one I couldn't even find in the test tube.

 

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#7 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 30 2024 - 3:49 AM

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Why did you wait so long to feed the ants? Tetramorium should definitely already have workers by now if they were found last season. 


"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#8 Offline AperturePrime - Posted May 30 2024 - 7:56 PM

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The Tetramorium Immigrans I have been feeding all winter, they just haven't been very active. I keep my place a bit cooler during the winter. The Formica didn't even lay eggs until they were brought out of diapause, and the Lasius didn't pupate until they were brought out.






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